Sunday 25 January 2015

Grow Your Blog ...

Hello all,

My name is Lija and I am a stitchaholic / stashaholic and bunch of other things. I started blogging a few years ago just when I came across an old project I never got to finish as a kid. I thought if I could post pictures of my finishes I would incidentally actually have many finishes. After all you cannot have a blog post without a finish ... oh how wrong and naive I was back then.


I have recently moved across country (England) to start as a tax trainee and am in love with my job. In my spare time (which I do not have a lot as of recent in view of it being a January) I stitch, sometimes knit, create art dolls, read (after all I used to be a part-time librarian for eight and a half years), blog, paint (exhibited in over 15 exhibitions) and grow orchids. I also started a handmade bags and accessories business with my family called ILiNi designs (sidebar for more info). 

So as not to bore you a few pictures ...

my first ever exchange ...
I do need to get back into stitching Margaret Sherry's designs with their whimsical look. I actually signed up for a SAL last year which requires my attention.

cross stitch with a bit sketching
I have participated in another exchange of Valentine cards, which promoted me to create in a similar style another Valentine card, and two thank you cards one with butterflies another with a bee. I love when cross stitch interlinks with an image. But this was slightly short lived deviation from the hobby as although I continued to make cards but somehow without the cross stitch.

So far we have created 3 art dolls, and are working on the next two. I am responsible for the drawn out faces and the individually sewn a strand at a time hair with a few extra details. I have knitted the cardigan for this one.
my first ever art doll in conjunction with mum
A Snowflower Diaries design stitched in hand dyed threads ...


I know, there is a first time for everything and lets say although I am not a convert into the hand dyed stuff ... as I do like to be able to reproduce exact same design as others rather than gamble on the tone of how particular shade turned out. And the lack of steadfastness definitely a put off. If one stitches a huge piece how is one expected to wash it. I can appreciate how this can work in smaller pieces.

orchid closeup
I do promise more pictures of orchids in the future. Oh how I wish I had a working camera. I own over ten orchids back up North with mum. And 5 down here with me. I am even attempting to grow a vanda. Not sure how that is working out. The flowers fell off and the instructions from the florist of soaking once a week made quite a few leaves rot. I am now spraying the roots with water every morning.


LHN sheep 'Hope'
And a sheep is one of my recent finishes through a SAL.

This is just a few thoughts etc. 

Giveaway:
I will be also having a giveaway. Deadline to enter is 15 February on this post. Just leave a comment. No rules (almost). I need to be able to contact you. So either leave your email in the comment or make sure you're replyable. 

The prize would be something made by me + something that you could use in your own hobby ... a bit vague I know. So another request ... please leave a link to your blog if you have one so I can get to know you. Or if you haven't got a blog say a little about yourself.


So till soon,

 


Check out the other blogs participating HERE.

34 comments:

  1. Hello dear Lija! On behalf of Vicki, I want to warmly welcome you to another Grow Your Blog event - Vicki truly appreciates your participation :)

    Your sweet little sheep is darling! And your work is quite beautiful. I enjoyed learning about you and your blog - thank you for sharing! Have a wonderful week. Hugs!

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  2. Lovely projects, I too am a fan of Snowflower Diaries. Good luck with the new job. Ali x

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  3. Hello, popping over from the GYB event!
    Wow, you are very talented! Your stitching is lovely and the dolls are amazing! I look forward to reading more in the future.

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  4. I always appreciate your talents,. Your other artistic aspirations are wonderful, the dolls are fantastic.

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  5. Lija, hello! What wonderful work !!! I love embroidery ... you have great work! I also embroidered sheep of the joint venture Anna
    I would like to take part in the candy that's my blog http://wwwbloggercomcreate-blogg-grinna.blogspot.ru/

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  6. Love your stitching my dear
    Good luck with the job
    Hugs x

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  7. Hello sweetie!
    Have fun at the GYB Party!
    xoxo

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  8. Lovely stitching!! Nice to know more about you:)

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  9. How lovely to meet you today on the blog hop. I am amazed by all of your talents, the art doll is just beautiful. I love cross stitching and really like the Snowflower Diaries designs, I have made quite a few of them myself. I also love Nora Corbett and Balckbird Designs as designers. I don't have a blog, but my other hobbies are reading and EPP quilting. x

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  10. Saying hi from the blog party! I am looking forward to reading more of your blog, and would love to be included in your giveaway. I hope you will visit my blog too!
    http://acozylittleplaceforstitching.blogspot.com

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  11. You throw a great party. Thank you for inviting me!

    So that you know, I've become a Follower and when time permits, I'll be back to see what other beautiful things were made by your hands!

    What this party is all about is to GROW your blog and I'm hoping to do the same. When you get to Section One, check out A Country Chic Retreat and SuZeQ Creations, my personal blog, in Section Fifteen I'd love for you to follow and subscribe to.

    Happy crafting!
    SuZeQ

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  12. I love the beautiful detail of your work. I'm not that patient!

    cobcottagecraft.com

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  13. Visiting from GYB...I admire your talent! Very nice work! I used to embroider when I was younger...started at age 8! I always enjoyed it. I did it for years among other crafts. I now quilt and plan to do a bit of embroidery on what is called "crazy quilt blocks" that I am learning to make!
    Cheri, the quilting nanny
    quiltingnanny(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. Hi Lija
    You made some amazing projects
    I am jelous at your talent and your ambition to do such a different kind of artworks :)
    Maybe a tip wich i got from my flowerist.
    If your orchid is in a seethru plastic pot ( wich they are normally in holland you can easely see if they need water
    If there is still some waterdrips ( condence ) on the side of the pot then they are still okay
    If they need water just put them with the feet in a bowl of water for a short time so they can absurb some water
    Sorry for any mistakes in my English writing :)
    I would allso like to participaid in your draw for a free gift
    My blog is
    http://dyndns.xs4all.nl/kezelingstitches/
    Hopefully your orchids keep blooming beautifully for you
    Look forward to read from you again

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  15. Lovely to meet you - your work is beautiful!
    I like patchwork and quilting and I've recently discovered bookbinding

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  16. Your doll is awesome! I love it. I havent got a blog but im into lots of things. Embroidery, jewellery, crochet and sewing bags and softsculptures to name a few. :).

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  17. Hi Lija, Thank you for your visit. Always interesting to see what work you are up to and your doll is just lovely - what patience with the hair! Really don´t know where you find the time. I have 5 or 6 orchids at home too, love them as they last so long when in flower. Your yellow/pink orchid photo is stunning.

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  18. I'm visiting via GYB from St. John's, NL Canada. Nice to meet you. Your doll is lovely. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. I hate to admit that I'm a champion killer of orchids and never had any luck with them until I happened to buy a miniature one that had a hang tag saying that to water it just give it one ice cube a week. I couldn't imagine that a freezing cold ice cube would be a good thing but I dutifully followed instructions. Amazingly enough it's still alive after over 2 years! Of course it hasn't ever flowered again but at least it's alive, which I consider a victory!! Nice to meet you on the tour.

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  20. Hi Lija, I've just ventured into the world of orchids and am happy to say I had one re-bloom! Your stitching is beautiful. Enjoy the blog party.

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  21. HI lija You are so talented...and yep there are lots of unfinished projects in the works around blogland. I love your dolls and your stitching. Your are very creative and talented.

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  22. Hi Lija! Thanks for coming over to my blog to say hi! You're one talented and busy gal! I've tried to grow orchids a few times and I haven't been very successful. Not sure what I'm doing wrong! They are beautiful though! I'm now a follower of your blog!

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  23. I know all about those unfinished projects as I have a few of them myself! I guess that is the way with us creative types. I did, however, recently commit to finishing a dollhouse I started sometime in the early '90s. Unfortunately, it needed a lot of updating as some of the wallpaper had faded and the paint colors were dated so I am basically no closer to being finished that I was when I started the updating! Oh, well, its a labor of love. What started as a gift for my daughter back then, is now being updated for that day when I become a granny. Good luck finishing your projects, the ones you've shown here are so lovely! And I adore orchids, but I've actually never grown them. Thanks for visiting my blog, by the way! Cindy from TheCranesNest.com

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  24. I would love to be entered to win one of your wonderful creations!
    As for me, I am an avid cross stitcher:)

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  25. Thanks for visiting my blog through GYB!! I had to pop over and see yours, too!! Your sheep is so sweet, and I scrolled down and saw more! I also like the Snowflower Diaries piece, too!
    Your orchid photo is so lovely! I've had orchids off and on, but none ever last. They will keep their flowers for a very long time, but then the flowers fall off and the leaves go next! I'd like to have one keep going one day!!!
    Frances
    http://www.asymphonyofstitches.blogspot.com/

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  26. I love your cross-stitch pieces! Especially your sheep - it's so cute!

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  27. Hi Lija, so nice to meet you, visiting from the GYB hop. Please share your secret on getting orchids to bloom again, I have two that refuse to cooperate. Love your cards too! You are a very talented lady. Thanks for sharing on the hop.

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  28. A fellow orchid grower. I have 4 of them all in bloom now.
    Drop on buy in April when I will post a daily orchid illustration.

    Popped by from GYB.
    http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com/2015/01/grow-your-blog-and-repairing-vintage.html

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  29. Also an orchid lover, and keeper. You have patience with your craft, I see, and it carries over to this flower species.

    I would love something made by you, whatever you might choose.

    Julie htttp://pinkdoxies.blogspot.com

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  30. Hello from NYC! Your stitchery is adorable! I embroider but I've been itching to try cross stitch too. It's so meditative, isn't it?
    afistfuloflemons @ gmail.

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  31. Hello Lija, thank you for your sweet comment on my blog :) Your work is beautiful and I love that you do different things and combine them. I love that sheep project, gorgeous! Wishing you a beautiful day ~ Wendy of Apple and Apricot blogsvanwendy@live.nl

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  32. Hello Lija...I am also a cross stitcher and am so amazed at your beautiful finishes and how you incorporated tour art...WOW!! Amazing. Thanks for sharing!! Lisa K from Verona, NY USA
    My email is scneth@verizon.net

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